Accessibility
It’s both a pleasure and a privilege to be able to expand our accessible reach with our Changing Places scheme across Leeds, to ensure that all our residents and visitors can make the most of all that our wonderful city has to offer.
We recognise that over one-quarter of a million people in the UK would benefit from access to specialist toilets facilities. Changing Places Toilets are for use by people with profound and multiple disabilities. These toilets are wheelchair accessible and are fitted with a hoist, adult-sized changing bench, sometimes a shower, and have space for up to two carers.
Working in partnership with a wide range of organisations, we have fully embraced the national campaign to develop a network of Changing Places Toilets across the UK.
We created our first Changing Places Toilet in Leeds in 2010. Since then, we have greatly expanded the number of facilities and have even purchased a mobile Changing Places Toilet which is extensively used at outdoor events including Leeds Pride and Leeds Christmas Market. We have been delighted that several independent businesses and third sector organisations have embraced the national campaign too, providing the space and money to create Changing Places Toilets within their venues.
Leeds City Council is proud of the significant contribution it has made to the growing national network of Changing Places Toilets. Locally, the programme has been led since 2010 by Aspire Community Benefit Society as part of its ongoing social responsibility commitment to the citizens of Leeds. Leeds is proud to have 50 units and this continues to grow.
We also have a mobile Changing Place unit which is available to hire for large outdoor events. Leeds City Council’s Events Team manage bookings for the mobile unit and they can be contacted at: events@leeds.gov.uk
